Sheikh Tawhidul Islam, PhD — River People Planet

Biography

Dr Sheikh Tawhidul Islam (born 1 January 1971, Barisal, Bangladesh) is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment and Director of the Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh — a position he has held since March 2017. He joined JU as a Lecturer in December 1998 and rose through the ranks to Professor (December 2012). He was seconded to UNDP Bangladesh as Learning and Development Specialist (P-4 level) on the CDMP II project from August 2013 to August 2014.

Dr Islam received his PhD from the University of Durham, UK (2002–2007) under the British Commonwealth Scholarship Programme. His thesis — 'Resource Assessment of Deciduous Sal Forests in Bangladesh' — used satellite remote sensing to assess forest cover change using both quantitative geospatial tools and political ecology frameworks.

He combines science and social science methods — GIS, satellite remote sensing, GPS, statistical techniques, political ecology, common property resource management, PRA and FGD — to examine environmental and disaster impact situations. His work spans 60+ professional engagements with agencies including UNDP, NASA/SERVIR, ICIMOD, UNESCO, UN Habitat, Asian Development Bank, Oxfam, Action Aid, CAFOD, Save the Children, HelpAge International, DanChurchAid, BRAC-UNICEF and many others.

Dr Islam's research has directly influenced national policy: his work on Bangladesh coastal zones changed the dominant narrative that coasts would be 'grossly submerged', providing relief to millions of coastal communities. He contributed to the 4th Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP IV 2018–2023) and developed Bangladesh's Third National Communication to UNFCCC. He is a co-founder of the Climate Action Resource Network Asia-Pacific (CARN-AP), uniting 143 experts across the region. He has authored/edited 3 books with Routledge and UPL, and published 30+ peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Specializations

Forest Cover Change using Remote SensingCoastal Flooding & Sea Level Rise AnalysisCyclone & Flood Impact Assessment via SatelliteClimate Change Education for Sustainable DevelopmentIPCC Climate Model Downscaling (5km×5km grid)Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)Biodiversity National Reporting (CBD/UNFCCC)Participatory GIS & Risk MappingDisaster Resilience & Smart AgricultureGeospatial Decision Making in Hindu Kush Himalaya

Research Interests

Climate change adaptation in Bangladesh and South Asia

Coastal submergence myths vs geo-scientific evidence

Forest ecosystem change via optical/radar satellite data

Disaster resilience in river-dependent communities

Environmental policy reform through geospatial evidence

Social consequences of bio-physical environmental damage

Air quality monitoring using satellite-borne sensors

Lightning early warning systems (HIWAT toolkit)

Sustainable wetland and coastal resource management

Bangladesh Delta Plan and long-term land use futures

Academic Qualifications

PhD, Geography — "Resource Assessment of Deciduous Sal Forests in Bangladesh" (Remote Sensing & Political Ecology)

University of Durham, United Kingdom (British Commonwealth Scholarship Programme)

📅 2002–2007

MSc in Geography (1st Class, 1st Position)

Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

📅 1994

BSc (Hons) in Geography (1st Class, 1st Position)

Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

📅 1993

Languages

BengaliEnglish

Books & Editorial Roles

Geographical Research in Bangladesh: Knowledge Production, Epistemological Framework and Future Trends

Paul, A., Islam, S.T., Koley, N.J.

📚 University Press Ltd (UPL) · 📅 2021 (accepted)

Geography in Bangladesh: Concepts Methods and Applications

Islam, S.T. and Paul, A. (Editors)

📚 Routledge (Taylor & Francis), London · 📅 2019

View ↗

Climate Change in Bangladesh: A Closer Look into Temperature and Rainfall Data

Islam, S.T. and Neelim, A.

📚 University Press Ltd (UPL), Dhaka · 📅 2010

International Energy Journal — Bangabandhu Chair Special Issue (Guest Editor)

Islam, S.T. (Editor, Invited)

📚 Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand · 📅 2020–2021

Indian Journal of Spatial Science (Guest Editor, Overseas)

Islam, S.T. (Guest Editor)

📚 Indian Society of Spatial Science · 📅 Ongoing

Journal Articles & Book Chapters

34 works

Paul, A., Islam, S.T., Koley, N.J. (2021). Geographical Research in Bangladesh: Knowledge Production, Epistemological Framework and Future Trends. University Press Ltd (UPL), Dhaka [accepted].

Islam, S.T. and Paul, A. (2019, Eds.). Geography in Bangladesh: Concepts Methods and Applications. Routledge, London (Taylor & Francis). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429263354

Islam, S.T. and Neelim, A. (2010). Climate Change in Bangladesh: A Closer Look into Temperature and Rainfall Data. University Press Ltd (UPL), Dhaka.

Roy, J., Islam, S.T., Pal, I. (2020). White Paper Top Ten Priorities in Implementation of Low Carbon Sustainable Energy Development and Adaptation Framework. International Energy Journal, Vol.21 (SI 1A), pp.143–145.

Roy, J., Islam, S.T., Pal, I. (2020). Implementation Framework for Sustainable Development: What Matters in the Context of Bangladesh. International Energy Journal, Vol.21 (SI 1A), pp.1–8.

Roy, J., Islam, S.T., Pal, I. (2020). White Paper on Energy, Disaster, Climate Change: Sustainability and Just Transitions in Bangladesh. International Energy Journal, Vol.20 (SI 3A), pp.579–580.

Islam, S.T., Rahman, S.H., Rishal, F.H., Samad, S. (2020). Development of Climate Change Perceptions and Programmes (1980–2020) in Bangladesh: Lessons Learned and Way Forward. International Energy Journal, Vol.20 (SI 3A), pp.567–578.

Roy, J., Islam, S.T., Pal, I. (2020). Energy, Disaster, Climate Change: Sustainability and Just Transitions in Bangladesh. International Energy Journal, Vol.20 (SI 3A), pp.373–380.

Islam, S.T., Mondal, K.P., Pal, I. (2020). Satellite Remote Sensing to Evaluate Social Consequences of Bio-Physical Damage: Cyclone Amphan in Sundarbans. In A. Mukhopadhyay (Ed.), Sundarbans Mangrove Systems: A Geo-Informatics Approach. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, London.

Islam, S.T., Chakraborty, T.R., Rahman, S.H. (2020). Road to Effective Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Research, Vol.11, pp.86–98.

Islam, S.T. (2020). Climate Change Impacts on System Dynamics: A Critical Look from Bangladesh Experiences. In Bangladesh in Transformation: Geography People Economy and Environment. Springer, Berlin.

Matin, M.A., Islam, S.T. (2020). Geo-spatial Applications in Hindukush Himalaya (HKH) Regions. In Earth Observation Science and Applications for Risk Reduction and Enhanced Resilience in HKH Region. Springer Nature & ICIMOD, Berlin.

Chakraborty, D., Mondol, K.P., Islam, S.T., Roy, J. (2020). 2017 Floods in Bangladesh: Lessons Learnt. In Disaster Resilience and Sustainability. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Islam, S.T. (2019). An Account on Disaster Impacts in Bangladesh. In Khatun, H., Baquee, A. and Kabir, H. (eds.), People at Risk: Disaster and Despair. Dept. of Geography and Environment, Dhaka University.

Paul, A. and Islam S.T. (2018). Shifting Research Paradigm and Future of Geography in Bangladesh. In Khatun, H. et al. (eds.), Environment and Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: Geographical Perspectives. Dhaka University.

Islam, S.T. (2017). Disaster Impacts and Management in Bangladesh: Progress Made and Way Forward. In Disaster Management in Bangladesh. Disaster Research Training & Management Centre, Dhaka University.

Rahman, S.H., Faisal, B.M.R., Islam, S.T. (2017). A Critical Review on Water Governance: Bangladesh Perspective. Submitted to Ambio: Springer (A Journal of Human Environment).

Rahman, S.H., Faisal, B.M.R., Islam, S.T. (2014). Evaluation of NCTB Textbooks (Class III–XII) in the Context of Disaster Management. NAEM Journal, Vol.9 (18).

Rahman, S.H., Ferdous, Z. and Islam, S.T. (2014). Vulnerability and Impact Assessment to Climate Change and Ecosystem based Adaptation in a Drought Prone Area of Bangladesh Applying DPSIR Framework. Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.3.

O'Donnell, M., Islam, S.T. et al. (2013). Bangladesh Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional Review. In R. Shaw, F. Mallick, A. Islam (eds.), Climate Change Adaptation Actions in Bangladesh. Springer, Tokyo.

Islam, S.T., A. Rahman, and F. Mallick. (2011). Impacts of Climate Change Induced Hazards and Adaptation Processes in Bangladesh. In R. Shaw et al. (eds.), Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction: An Asian Perspective. Emerald Group Publishing, UK.

Islam, S.T. (2009). Thinking Beyond Kyoto Protocol: Proposing a Win-Win Solution to Combat Climate Change. The Jahangirnagar Review, Part II, Vol.32.

Islam, S.T. (2009). Definition Dilemma in Forest Management: Assessing the Impacts of Differential Management Approaches on Forest Ecosystems in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Research, Vol.7.

Islam, S.T. and P.J. Atkins. (2007). Indigenous Floating Cultivation: A Sustainable Agricultural Practice in the Wetlands of Bangladesh. Development in Practice, Vol.17(1).

Islam, S.T. (2007). Deforestation in Bangladesh. Geography Review, Vol.22(4). Philip Allan, UK.

Islam, S.T. (2007). Putting Local Government in Bottom-Up Planning: Role of IT in Rural Development in Bangladesh. In T. Hiroyuki & G. Hossain (eds.), Local Governance and Poverty Reduction in Bangladesh. APRC, Kobe Gakuin University, Japan.

Islam, S.T. (2007). Deforestation in Bangladesh: Language and Power in Action. Narrative Inquiry, Vol.17(1). John Benjamins Publishing Co., The Netherlands.

Islam, S.T., Khan, M.H. (2007). Diverse Approaches in Defining Forest Ecosystems and Its Implications in Forest Management. UNDP Bangladesh. http://www.undp.org.bd/library/reports/

Islam, S.T. (2003). Nature and Characteristics of Hydroponic Cultivation in Nesarabad Thana, Pirojpur District. Journal of The Bangladesh National Geographical Association, Vol.29.

Islam, S.T. (2000). The Common Property Resources of Bangladesh: Its Use, Abuse and Potentials. Jahangirnagar Review, Vol.23–24.

Islam, M. and Islam, S.T. (2000). Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh Revisited. Journal of The Bangladesh National Geographical Association, Vol.27–28 (1–2).

Islam, S.T. (2000). Spatial Data Quality and Need for a Metadata System in Bangladesh. Jahangirnagar Review, Vol.23–24.

Islam, S.T. (2000). Noise Pollution in Dhaka City: A Case Study of Ramna Thana. Journal of The Bangladesh National Geographical Association, Vol.21–26 Nos.1–2 (1993–1998).

Islam, S.T. (1999). The Socio Economic Status of Shrimp Farmers of Rampal Thana, Bagerhat District, Bangladesh. Bhugol Patrika, Vol.17.

Conference Presentations

🎙NASA/ICIMOD HydroSAR Training: Extracting Flood Information from Synthetic Aperture Radar, 26–29 January 2021

🎙Workshop: Humanitarian and Global Health at the Nexus of Planetary Health and Climate Change, Dahdaleh Institute, York University, Canada, 20–21 January 2021

🎙Resource Person, Asia Pacific Environmental Data Management Workshop, Bangkok, UNESCAP/UN Environment/UN Statistics Division, 22–25 July 2019

🎙Panel Member: Roles of Universities in Achieving SDG Goals, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, 25 March 2019

🎙Invited Keynote Speaker, BNGA Regional Seminar: Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, Jessore MM College, 4 April 2019

🎙Lecture: Climate change in Bangladesh — shifting understanding and application of ICT, 2nd South Asian Conference on ICT and Action Research (Oxfam/Monash/Dhaka University), 12 March 2019

🎙Invited Special Guest, ESRI User Conference, Singapore, September 2018

🎙Paper: Disaster Preparedness in Bangladesh, 8th UN-Spider Conference, Beijing, China, October 2018

🎙Invited Guest Lecturer, 65th Anniversary, Beihang University, Beijing, China, 20 October 2017

🎙Government Panel Member, "State of Map Asia" Conference, Kathmandu, Nepal, 23–24 September 2017

🎙Session Conductor: Impacts of Climate Change Induced Disasters on Child Education, Workshop, Jaipur, India (Aide-et-Action), 10 November 2009

🎙Results Presentation, ESPA SA (Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation in South Asia) Conference, Delhi, 15–23 February 2008 (DFID/TERI)

🎙Paper: Strengthening Community Resilience as a Measure of Climate Change Adaptation in Bangladesh, Conference, BNGA & BARCIK, June 2008

🎙Paper: Remote Sensing Application in Woodland Resource Assessment in Bangladesh, RSPSoc/NERC Conference, Portsmouth, UK, 7 September 2005

🎙Paper: Forest Structure Analysis Using Quickbird Image, ForestSafe Conference, Galway, Scotland, 14 October 2004

🎙Paper: Potentials of Remote Sensing in Wetland Management in Bangladesh, 4th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Urban Areas, Regensburg, Germany, 27–29 June 2003

🎙Paper: Riverbank Erosion and Associated Consequences — Chilmari Thana, Bangladesh Geographical Society (BGS) Conference, Dhaka, 2000

🎙Paper: Leasing Out Process of Wetland Resources of Bangladesh and Community Impacts, Faculty of Social Sciences Seminar, JU, 19 July 2001

🎙Paper: Spatial Data Quality and Need for a Metadata System in Bangladesh, Young Geographers Research Conference, BGS, Dhaka University, 29 June 2001

Professional Projects

#	Agency	Title	Role
60	Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF), ELRAH, UK	Water Sector Innovation in Humanitarian Response — Basirhat Municipality, West Bengal, India	International Expert
59	BRAC-UNICEF	Labor Market Survey (LMS) for Rohingya and Bangali host communities in Cox's Bazar, 2021	Team Leader
58	ActionAid Association (India)	Threats and Conservation Challenges in Sundarbans: Hingalganj Block, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India (2020)	Climate Change & DRR Specialist
57	DanChurchAid (DCA)	DANIDA Single Grant Project, Rohingya Refugee Camp and Surrounding Areas in Cox's Bazar (2019) — Final Evaluation	Team Leader
56	NKY Engineers and Architects (Turkey)	Urban Resilience Project – RAJUK; Spatial Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), April 2019 – December 2020	Key Expert
55	LGED, Arc Bangladesh	Review and Update of Gopalgonj Master Plan (May–August 2019)	Team Leader
54	HelpAge International (UK)	Participatory GIS Based Risk Mapping in Bangladesh and Nepal — three districts each (March–June 2018)	Team Leader
53	Department of Environment (DoE) & UN Environment, Asia Pacific Regional Office	Environmental Data Needs Assessment and Indicator Reporting Information System (IRIS) Delivery Potential Evaluation (2017) — SDG & MEA data gaps	National Consultant
52	UNESCO	Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development (2016) — BANBEIS pilot study across 1800 educational institutions in 12 disaster hotspots	National Consultant
51	Water Integrity Network (WIN, Germany / Transparency International)	Water Sector Integrity Assessment in Bangladesh — BWDB and Dhaka WASA (2016)	National Consultant
50	UNDP Bangladesh & Ministry of Finance	Development of Climate Fiscal Framework (CFF) for Ministry of Finance (2017) — mainstreaming climate projects into regular development programmes	Climate Change Expert
49	Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Bangladesh	National Disaster Risk Management Report (2017) — submitted to UNISDR meeting, Cancun, Mexico	National Consultant
48	Save the Children	End Line Evaluation of DIPECHO VIII Education Sector — Learning Resilience: Institutionalizing School Disaster Management	National Consultant
47	ICIMOD (Nepal) / NASA SERVIR / USAID	Decision Making Landscape Study of Geo-Spatial Technology in Hindu Kush Himalaya Regions — conducted in Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar (2016)	Team Leader
46	UNDP	Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) — Downscaling IPCC climate models to 5km×5km grid for local-level sector impacts	Team Leader
45	UNDP	Baseline Study for Outcome Indicators of the National Resilience Programme (NRP), 2021 — Ministries: MoDMR, Planning Commission, Local Government Division, MoWCA	National Consultant
44	UNDP	Digitization of Targeting Beneficiaries in Humanitarian Assistance (2020) — linking data sources in common platform	National Consultant
43	UNDP	Lessons Learned for Adaptive Livelihoods in Southwestern Waterlogging Areas of Bangladesh (2017)	National Consultant
42	UNDP	Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment for Recovery of Cyclone Roanu (2016) — Banskhali Upazila, Chittagong	National Consultant
41	UNDP	Third National Communication (3NC) to UNFCCC (2017) — National Circumstances section	Team Leader
40	UNDP / Green Climate Fund (GCF, World Bank)	Social and Environmental Feasibility Report for Women and Girls' Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change Project, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (2015)	National Environmental Expert
39	UNDP	Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional Review (2013) — Planning Commission of Bangladesh	Climate Science Expert
38	UNDP	Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Asian Cities (2014) — Khulna City Corporation, for UNDP regional office Bangkok	Team Leader
37	UNDP	REDD+ (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) — Review and Document Development (2013)	National Consultant
36	UNDP	Coastal Water Biodiversity Management Project — Terminal Evaluation (2013)	National Consultant
35	Asian Development Bank	Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Fishery — Climate Change Impact Study	National Consultant
34	Asian Development Bank	Study on Early Warning of Disaster — Disaster Preparedness Study	National Consultant
33	Swiss Contact	Terminal Evaluation of Skills Mark Project	National Consultant
32	CAFOD, UK	Improved Food and Livelihoods Security Project — Terminal Evaluation	Team Leader
31	Diakonia, Sweden	Environmental Lens Project — Reviewer and Facilitator	Consultant
30	Concern Worldwide	Coastal Contextual Assessment	National Consultant
29	Concern Worldwide	Baseline Survey on Sundari (SEALS) Project	National Consultant
28	Concern Worldwide	Mid Term Review on Sundari (SEALS) Project	National Consultant
27	Concern Worldwide	Direction on Video Documentary (HISAL Project)	Consultant
26	Action Aid	Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) of Climate Change Adaptation Interventions in Bangladesh	National Consultant
25	Oxfam	Climate Change in Bangladesh: A Closer Look into Temperature and Rainfall Data — Climate Variable Assessment	National Consultant
24	Oxfam	Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Urbanization in Bangladesh: Scoping Study	Co-Researcher
23	Oxfam	Exploring Scope of Incorporating DRR into Action Plan of Municipality's Service Providers, Mymensingh	National Consultant
22	Water Aid	Development of Participatory WaSH Vulnerability Assessment Tool	National Consultant
21	Plan Bangladesh	Baseline Survey on Education in Emergencies Project	National Consultant
20	World Vision	Baseline Survey on CBAS (SEALS) Project	National Consultant
19	Concern Universal	Final Evaluation of Food Facility Project	National Consultant
18	Concern Universal	Enhancing Community Capacity to Reduce Vulnerability to Human Trafficking in Jamalpur District — Terminal Evaluation	National Consultant
17	NIRAPAD	Handbook on Climate Change Impacts on WaSH — Climate Change Study	Study Team Member
16	Nabolok	Final Evaluation of Village Project (Bread for the World, Germany)	National Consultant
15	CCDB	Climate Change Impacts in Bangladesh — Workshop Facilitation	Resource Person
14	CCDB	Final Evaluation of Light House Project (climate change project)	National Consultant
13	BRAC	Bangladesh WaSH Atlas — Spatial Assessment	Consultant
12	BRAC	Tea Estate Mapping using Satellite Remote Sensing — Spatial Analysis and Detailed Mapping	Team Leader
11	Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh	EIA Study of National Oceanographic Research Center, Cox's Bazar	EIA Consultant
10	Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh	Identification, Management and Remedial Measures of Waterlogging Problems in Southwestern Coastal Areas of Bangladesh	Co-Researcher
9	Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh	Biodiversity National Assessment Report (Fourth National Report to CBD, Convention on Biological Diversity of the UN)	National Consultant
8	Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh	Third National Communication Report to UNFCCC	Team Leader (Component 1)
7	Dhaka Ahsania Mission	Terminal Evaluation: Promotion of Human Rights for Preventing Violence and Discrimination against Women and Girls (PPVD) Project	National Consultant
6	Dhaka Ahsania Mission	Final Evaluation on Violence Against Women Project, Patharghata, Barguna	National Consultant
5	Dhaka Ahsania Mission	Terminal Evaluation: Preventing Violence against Women through Empowerment (PVAWTE) Project	National Consultant
4	UGC/HEQUEP (World Bank)	Climate Change Induced Community Vulnerability Assessment in Bangladesh	Co-Researcher
3	Asiatic Society of Bangladesh	Forest and Wetland Change in Dhaka — Environmental Report	Researcher
2	BANBEIS (Bangladesh Bureau of Education Information & Statistics)	Compliance Verification Survey of SEQAEP (Secondary Education Quality and Access Enhancement Project), 2016 — Adviser and Analytical Reporting	Adviser
1	UN Habitat (Bangkok Office)	Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Khulna City (2013) — environmental and climate change impacts and ecosystem-based adaptation solutions	National Consultant

Fieldwork Locations

📍Sundarbans, Bangladesh & India — Cyclone Amphan assessment, mangrove ecosystem threats

📍Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh — Rohingya refugee camps, humanitarian assessments

📍Southwestern coastal districts, Bangladesh — coastal flooding, waterlogging, sea-level rise

📍Sylhet Haor Region, Bangladesh — wetland ecosystem, floating cultivation, flooding

📍Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh — forest cover change, biodiversity

📍Rajshahi & Rangpur, Bangladesh — drought vulnerability, riverbank erosion (Chilmari Thana)

📍Khulna City Corporation & southwestern coast — ecosystem-based adaptation studies

📍Basirhat Municipality, West Bengal, India — waterlogging mitigation, water supply

📍Nepal (ICIMOD) — mountain ecosystems, disaster resilience, geospatial decision-making

📍Hindu Kush Himalaya Region — Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar (SERVIR)

📍Dhaka City — wetland change, forest & wetland mapping, noise pollution, GIS studies

📍Gopalgonj, Bangladesh — urban master plan review

📍Banskhali Upazila, Chittagong — Cyclone Roanu recovery assessment

📍Jamalpur District — human trafficking vulnerability

📍Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh — EIA, National Oceanographic Research Center

📍Bangladesh tea estates — satellite remote sensing mapping

Work Activities

Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate geography and GIS at Jahangirnagar University

Leading the Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS (from 2017)

Satellite image analysis for environmental and disaster assessments

Field-based research in Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and across Asia

Policy consultancy for national and international development agencies

Writing peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters

Directing and supervising MPhil/PhD research students

Conducting workshops and lectures in Bangladesh and internationally

Key Contributions

Established and directed Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS at Jahangirnagar University (from 2017)

Changed Bangladesh coastal flooding narrative: peer-reviewed evidence that coasts will NOT be grossly submerged — front-page Daily Star coverage (August 2009)

Introduced NASA HIWAT lightning early warning toolkit to Bangladesh

Introduced free Radar data workflow (Alaska Satellite Facility) for flood/cyclone impact assessment in Bangladesh

Introduced air quality monitoring via satellite sensors in Bangladesh

Contributed to PEDP IV (4th Primary Education Development Programme 2018–2023, Bangladesh)

Co-founded CARN-AP (Climate Action Resource Network Asia-Pacific) — 143 experts

Authored/co-authored 3 books published by Routledge, UPL (20+ academic institutions worldwide)

Produced 1000+ skilled geography and GIS professionals through teaching career at JU (1998–present)

Led National Disaster Risk Management Report submitted to UNISDR, Cancun (2017)

Developed UNFCCC Third National Communication for Bangladesh

GIS certificate training (Arc/Info, ArcView, Idrisi, GPS) — AIT Thailand (2000); LGED/AIT caravan training (1999)

Collaborations & Partners

🤝NASA / SERVIR-HKH Programme — HIWAT lightning early warning toolkit, HydroSAR flood mapping

🤝ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development), Nepal — 20+ years partnership

🤝Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand — DPMM & SMARTS Centre, Editorial Board

🤝University of Durham, UK — PhD legacy, ForestSAFE Project (EU-funded)

🤝Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Canada

🤝United Nations University — Institute for Water, Environment & Health (UNU-INWEH)

🤝UNDP Bangladesh — CDMP II (P-4 Level LDS), LoGIC, 3NC, NRP, Green Climate Fund projects

🤝Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) — Radar data for flood/cyclone assessment

🤝UN Environment, Asia Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok

🤝World Bank / UGC-HEQUEP — climate vulnerability research

🤝ESRI — User Conference (Singapore, 2018), GIS applications

🤝Monash University, Australia — ICT and Community Resilience Conference

🤝Beihang University, Beijing — invited guest lecturer

🤝Bangladesh National Geographical Association (BNGA) — Life Member

🤝INTECOL (International Association for Ecology) — Member

🤝Bangladesh Bureau of Education Information and Statistics (BANBEIS)

Awards, Honours & Achievements

British Commonwealth Scholarship — PhD research, University of Durham, UK (2002)

Jahanara-Majid Fellowship — Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (2001)

Poster "Forests and Forest People in Bangladesh" — Highly Commended, UKGrad (British Council) poster competition, Leeds University, 26 May 2005

Solo Photography Exhibition "Ecological Interface" — Russian Cultural Centre, Dhaka, 03–05 June 2008 (sponsored by ActionAid Bangladesh)

Photography Exhibition "Ecological Interface" — JU Auditorium, February 2009

Directed documentary film "Haor Jibon (Life in the Haor region)" for Concern Worldwide (2010)

PhD thesis results published as lead front-page news, The Daily Star, 23rd–25th August 2009

Opinion article published, The Daily Star editorial page: "Do we really care about saving our environment?", 7 June 2017

Article published, The Daily Star: "Combating Climate Change: Agenda for Bangladesh", 8 May 2010

Article published, Daily Prothom Alo (Bengali): "Sinking or drifting the coastal zones of Bangladesh: Ways to survive in the context of Sea Level Rise", 13 June 2009

MSc Geography — 1st Class, 1st Position, Jahangirnagar University (1994)

BSc Geography — 1st Class, 1st Position, Jahangirnagar University (1993)

Established Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS at Jahangirnagar University (Director since March 2017)

Co-founder, Climate Action Resource Network Asia-Pacific (CARN-AP) — 143 experts across Asia-Pacific

Professional Memberships

🏛Life Member, Bangladesh National Geographical Association (BNGA)

🏛Member, The International Association for Ecology (INTECOL)

Documentary Films

Haor Jibon (Life in the Haor Region)

Concern Worldwide · 2010

Documentary film about threats and disasters facing communities in the Haor region due to flooding.

Direction on Video Documentary (HISAL Project)

Concern Worldwide · earlier

Video documentary direction for HISAL humanitarian project.

Media Appearances

📰Lead front-page news, The Daily Star (3 consecutive days, 23–25 August 2009) — PhD thesis results on Bangladesh coastal zone submergence

📰Opinion piece, The Daily Star editorial page: "Do we really care about saving our environment?" (7 June 2017). http://www.thedailystar.net/author/sheikh-tawhidul-islam

📰Opinion article, The Daily Star: "Combating Climate Change: Agenda for Bangladesh" (8 May 2010)

📰Article, Daily Prothom Alo (Bengali): "Sinking or drifting the coastal zones of Bangladesh: Ways to survive in the context of Sea Level Rise" (13 June 2009)

📰First solo photography exhibition "Ecological Interface" — Russian Cultural Centre, Dhaka, 03–05 June 2008 (ActionAid Bangladesh sponsored)

📰Photography exhibition "Ecological Interface" — JU Auditorium, February 2009

Sheikh Tawhidul Islam

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